A run-in with the past

“Got a call from an old friend, we used to be real close.” That’s the way Billy Joel sang it, and that’s almost the way I lived it.

This old friend and I crossed paths (not calls) at a local summer concert sponsored by UJA Federation of New York this past August in Westbury. I was a bit of a stranger in a strange land, what with the white tent, grilled vegetables and all, until my high school classmate recognized me upon introduction. I was reluctant to say hello, but what would be the worst that could happen if she didn’t remember me? I’d simply improve on my embarrassed, slink away technique; that’s all.

Thinking back to the angst of high school, I remember a big group of active students/friends where I played the “B” character. Pleasant to all, but never called when the group got together for anything outside of school. Ironically, I don’t remember hurting too much (probably time has healed THAT wound). Luckily I did have one best friend from junior year on who made the entire adventure of secondary education tolerable. 

After our hellos, my schoolmate told of her travels — living in Queens, working in the city, her parents, sisters and extended family on Long Island. She spoke wistfully of those youthful days and decisions made — both blessings and regrets. Although she wasn’t totally convinced, I expressed how her glass was truly “half full, not empty.” It was also a relief to see that she looked exactly the same, and I really meant it. We parted, agreeing that she would call me soon.

Not really an unusual experience, but she gave me pause over the next several weeks to consider the decisions and path that brought me to East Meadow circa 2012. Did I feel wistful about my younger days? What do I still want to do and need to do as a New Year approaches? Are there possibilities that are still within my grasp even though I’m no longer a teen? That must be what they mean when they tell aging baby boomers that they don’t have to stop living, learning or loving even if they are long past high school. I guess you just have to recognize your achievements and be recognized in the crowd every now and again.

Lauren Lev is an East Meadow resident and a direct marketing/advertising executive working on Long Island. She teaches advertising and marketing communications courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology/SUNY and LIU Post. Her story on a Jewish education program impacting our local community appears in “Thin Threads: Real Stories of Hadassah Life Changing Moments” published July 2012.